Priceline Hotel: Chicago Trip 1/16-1/18/10

[TinaF]

I'm planning a trip to Chicago for 1/16-1/18/10 and will be flying into O'Hare. I'm looking to stay somewhere near the train, so I won't need a cab into the city. I'm also looking for something with a lot of restaurants/activities within a short walking distance since it will be cold! I'd love some pointers and a good bidding strategies if anyone has some advice for me!

Thanks, Tina

[AaronJB]

Good afternoon. :)

May I ask what would be your budget per night? I'm seeing some VERY reasonable rates downtown for these dates, so it may be worth considering staying downtown if it is within budget, so that you do not have to freeze waiting on "L" platforms to travel an hour or more each way in/out of the city.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links when you are ready to purchase.

[TinaF]

Good afternoon. :)

May I ask what would be your budget per night? I'm seeing some VERY reasonable rates downtown for these dates, so it may be worth considering staying downtown if it is within budget, so that you do not have to freeze waiting on "L" platforms to travel an hour or more each way in/out of the city.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links when you are ready to purchase.

As long as it's under $100/night I'd be happy, though the lower the better! I'd like downtown, but I'd like to take the train there from O'Hare. Is this doable w/o too much trouble?

Thanks! Tina

[Romelle]

"The Chicago Transit Authority runs a 24 hour service - the Blue Line - from downtown Chicago to O'Hare.

Blue Line stations downtown include La Salle, Jackson, Monroe and Washington. The Orange Line from Midway Airport connects with the Blue Line at Clark/Lake station.

The O'Hare CTA station is located on the lowest level of the Parking Garage in the main terminal area. Follow the signs for Terminals 1, 2 or 3. Passengers for Terminal 5 go to Terminal 3 and take the ATS transfer train to Terminal 5.

Journey time from Downtown to O'Hare is around 45 minutes. Trains run every ten minutes during the day.

Fare: $1.50."

Very doable.

For more: www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/systemguide/blueline.aspx

Romelle

[AaronJB]

The train from O'Hare is about an hour from ORD into the Loop, and it can be longer if weather is bad. Plus, it's about $3 round-trip (although a bit more if the new fare regulations pass.) One can certainly do it, but it would be a royal pain and would limit your time downtown (as you'd not be able to be right downtown in the morning and have to look at the train schedule for getting back at the end of the day.)

Additionally, the CTA trains are not exactly comfortable (nor fun to wait for in the Winter) and will be crowded early in the AM. An hour trip will feel longer.

If you really do want to stay out by O'Hare (and again, definitely not something I'd recommend) and the hotel has a shuttle, I'd see if they will take you to the Park Ridge Metra station. While they are more expensive and run less often (much less often on the weekend), they are much more comfortable and worthwhile if you can time getting the train right.

I'm seeing a 4* for $69 downtown on HOTWIRE in the NMA-Water Tower-GC area w/fitness, business, restaurant and internet. This could be a few different properties, including the Knickerbocker, Allerton, Westin or Drake. There's two 4 stars in the O'Hare area for about the same price ($65 and $69).

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.

[TinaF]

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for all your help. I guess I wasn't very clear and you misunderstood what I want. I do want to stay downtown, I'll just be arriving via O'Hare and want to take the train to whatever hotel I choose. I was looking for an area that is close to the train and easy to walk to everything from. Would you recommend the MNA-Water Tower-GC area or Michigan Avenue? The Loop? I wasn't sure which would be more convenient to restaurants and shopping.

Thanks again,

Tina

[AaronJB]

Many restaurants and shops in the Loop do close later in the evening, and the Loop can be very quiet, especially in some sections. There is some shopping worth visiting in the Loop during the day, but again, this area does not have a whole lot going on at night.

There's a far greater selection of restaurants in the NMA area (and the nearby River North area just to the West of Michigan Ave) and a variety of shopping on Michigan Ave. The NMA area does stay lively later into the evening.

While it takes a few minutes longer to get to the NMA via train from ORD, the difference is pretty minimal and it's very easy to get around downtown quickly. The 4* NMA-WT-GC hotel would be a good option, but for a few dollars more, I also like the Avenue hotel for $81 via Expedia, plus an additional $10 off by using the 10NOV coupon code.

Also recommended on Expedia in the River North/North Michigan Ave area - The new Hotel Felix ($89) and the Courtyard River North ($79). The 10NOV coupon should also be able to be used with these.

Regular rates are so low for these dates that HOTWIRE/PRICELINE discounts are not going to be much.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE, PRICELINE or Expedia links.

[TinaF]

Any ideas on what hotels these are?

NMA-WT-GC - 4* - $72/night

Fitness Ctr, Restaurant, Business Ctr, Hi Speed Internet

Mag. Mile - Streeterville 4* - $79/night

Smoke Free, Fit Ctr, Pool, Restaurant, Business Ctr, Hi Speed Internet

[AaronJB]

The 4* NMA is possibly the Allerton, Drake, Knickerbocker or Westin Michigan Ave. Unfortunately, there's no way to narrow that list, but given that the Allerton has the lowest rate of that bunch, there is certainly the possibility that this listing is that. The 4* Mag Mile-Streeterville is likely the Sheraton, a property I don't care for.

As noted above, any of these Expedia ideas for similar rates would also be recommended:

Also recommended on Expedia in the River North/North Michigan Ave area - Avenue ($81), the new Hotel Felix ($89) and the Courtyard River North ($79). The 10NOV ($10 off per night) coupon should also be able to be used with these hotels. The Courtyard River North is also a very nice 3* property for $69 ($79-$10 coupon code.)

I'd much rather take the Felix for $79 ($89-10) than the Sheraton on HOTWIRE for the same price and the newer Avenue for $71 ($81-10) may be more appealing than not knowing which of the 4* the NMA HOTWIRE listing may be.